title: Oncological feasibility of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for adenocarcinoma: a single-institution comparative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is performed increasingly for pancreatic pathology in the body and tail of the pancreas. However, only few reports have compared its oncological efficacy with open distal pancreatectomy (ODP). We compared these two techniques in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  From a prospectively maintained database, all patients who underwent either LDP or ODP for adenocarcinoma in the body and tail of the pancreas between January 2008 and December 2011 were compared. Data were analysed using SPSS(®) v19 utilising standard tests. A p value <0.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 101 patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy, 22 had histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma (LDP n = 8, ODP n = 14). Both groups were well matched for age and the size of tumour (22 vs. 32 mm, p = 0.22). Intraoperative blood loss was 306 ml compared with 650 ml for ODP (p = 0.152). A longer operative time was noted for LDP (376 vs. 274 min, p < 0.05). Total length of stay was shorter for LDP compared with ODP (8 vs. 12 days, p = 0.05). The number of postoperative pancreatic fistulas were similar (LDP n = 2 vs. ODP n = 3, p = 0.5). Complete resection (R0) was achieved in 88 % of LDP (n = 7) compared with 86 % of ODP (n = 12). The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 16 for LDP versus 14 for ODP. Overall 3-year survival also was similar: LDP = 82 %, ODP = 74 % (p = 0.89).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From an oncological perspective, LDP is a viable procedure and its results are comparable to ODP for ductal adenocarcinomas arising in the body and tail of the pancreas.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary and Transplantation Surgery, Freeman Hospital, Freeman Road, High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK, Srkhanswati75@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rehman
authors.forename: S K P
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: John
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lochan
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Jaques
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Manas
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Charnley
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D021441:Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010180:Pancreatectomy / Q000379:methods*; D010185:Pancreatic Fistula / Q000453:epidemiology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult